UW-Whitewater students are encouraged to fill out the 2010 census in the City of Whitewater.
Students living off campus will receive the census form in the mail in March. Students living on campus will get the form from their resident assistants and hall directors after spring break.
Whitewater Student Government WSG Legislative Affairs Director Scott Coenen said the City of Whitewater will benefit from students from students filling out the census in Whitewater, as opposed to filling it out in their hometown.
“If someone lives in a city for over six months of the year, they are considered residents of that city,” he said. “Because the academic year stretches over six months, students are considered permanent residents of Whitewater.”
By having students fill out the census in Whitewater, the city benefits by getting its fair share of political representation and governmental funding as well as making the city more attractive to businesses, said Coenen.
“Businesses look at recent census data when deciding where to open new locations,” Coenen said. “I have heard from students that they would like a more diverse selection of restaurants in Whitewater. Business owners look at the census because of its accuracy and dependability.”
Data collected from the census is used to allocate billions of dollars per year in federal funding to local, state and tribal governments.
The federal funding is used in the planning of education, transportation, public health.
The census form is only 10 questions.
“Although it only takes ten minutes to fill out, it is important for Congressional representation, Wisconsin doesn’t want to lose any House or Senate members,” Coenen said.
Students can work for the Census Bureau to help collect the forms.
“The job pays $14 an hour,” Coenen said. “Students can go door-to-door or make phone calls to remind people who have not filled out the census to do so.
“Paid training starts right after spring. Students who are interested can contact me or the City of Whitewater.”
Be the first to comment on this article!